REEFTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 26 February 1949, Page 8

REEFTON NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent)

REEFTON, Feb. 25.

With Crs Chandlei- and Haldane dissenting, the Inangahua County Council yesterday decided to support the Westland Progress League’s request to the Government for representations concening the future of the gold mining industry on the West Coast. The Public Works Department is again to be asked to undertake the widening of the Rahu Saddle section of the Lewis Pass highway. An increase from 2s 6d to 4s 6d an hour for the hire of the council’s concrete mixer was agreed upon. No action was taken on a request by 1 Messrs Joyce and Taylor for Associated Gold Dredges Ltd. (in liquidation) who sought a reduction in the rent of £66 due on a mining claim, a previous reduction of 2s 6d an acre having already been granted. The foreman, Mr N. L. Bolitho was authorised to put in larger pipes where necessary in Dunn Street. Eight building permits for work valued at £6lO 17s 6d were issued during the month.

Grants totalling £5OOO are to be sought in the annual works estimate, the council decided. The major items for roads other- than highways were: Barton’s Creek bridge (Rough and Tumble), £1500; Palmer’s road £400; Antonio’s road, £200; tar-sealing Boatman’s road, £300; bridge across the Inangahua River at Rotokohu, £1000; erosion at Rosstown, £500; lump sum for roads generally, £5OO (£2 for £1); miscellaneous expenditure, £5OO (£3 for £1); Murray Creek road improvements, £5OO. The foreman reported that there were also the following carry-overs from the current year: Brown Grey road at Hunter’s £273 (£2 for £1); Coal Creek bridge, £aoo on account £2 for £1; Douglas Road £292 (£2 for £1); Pascoe’s road, £167 (£2 for £1). It was decided to seek priority for the Douglas and Pascoe roads and to point out the need for expediting the Coal Creek bridge. The Works Department engineer, Mr A. B. Bremner, advised that the department could not. grant a three for one subsidy fop the renewal of culverts on Palmer’s road, Maruia. Cr J. J. Coghlan was appointed the council’s delegate to the* West Coast ward of the Counties’ Association. The company concerned is to be asked its future intentions regarding bulldozing at a coal mine on tne terrace above Reefton. The Railways Department is to be asked to have the drain cleared at Cronadun. A live for one subsidy is to be sought from the Soil and Rivers’ Control Council for bulldozing work in .the Inangahua River near the hospital. The foreman was authorised to carry out repairs to the Merrijigs road and to report on major needs. Councillors are to assist the Railways Department in finding a contractor to erect stock yards at Cronadun for the department. Three seats for Reefton passengers are to be available at Stillwater in the rail-car, Mr J. H. Williams, district traffic manager, advised.

A poll is to be held in Reefton on the question of raising a loan of £lO,OOO for street improvements. Between 400 and 500 chains of streets need sealing, stated Cr Etheidge, who moved that the question be sumbitted to the ratepayers. The chairman, Cr McGregor said that he felt that £lO,OOO would not be sufficient, and he thought it would be cheaper for for the council to do the work than let a contract. The motion was carried on the voices. Cr C. Coxall was congratulated on his election as president of the United Fire Brigades’ Association. In about two months’ time the Minister of Health, the Hon. Miss Mabel Howard, will open the new nurses’ home at Reefton and lay the foundation stone of the new main hospital block. The board’s architect, Mr W. H. Trengrove, is to be asked by the Inangahua Hospital Board to prepare specifications for the foundation stone, which was not included in the contract. Mr 'Trengrove advised that plans for the main block were nearing completion. The plan for the lay-out of the grounds was approved, with a suggestion for a double entrance off Henderson St. A special meeting of the board next Thursday will consider quotations for the furnishing of the nurses’ home. A number of leaks in the hospital during the recent storms were referred to in the reports of the matron and the visiting committee and it was decided that repairs be made. Steps are to be taken immediately to have a warning bell on the ambulance so that it can pass other vehicles instead of having to follow behind as it did on Thursday. Mesdarnes R. Yellowlees and A. Hardie were appointed a visiting committee for next month.

WESTPORT TIDE TABLE Saturday, 10.14 a.m.; 10.35 p.m. Sunday, 10.48 a.m.; 11.09 p.m, Monday, 11.21 a.m.; 11.40 p.m.